In the land of Ingary, such things as spells, invisible cloaks, and seven-league boots were everyday things. The Witch of the Waste was another matter. After fifty years of quiet, it was rumored that the Witch was about to terrorize the country again. So when a moving black castle, blowing dark smoke from its four thin turrets, appeared on the horizon, everyone thought it was the Witch. The castle, however, belonged to Wizard Howl, who, it was said, liked to suck the souls of young girls. The Hatter sisters--Sophie, Lettie, and Martha--and all the other girls were warned not to venture into the streets alone. But that was only the beginning. In this giant jigsaw puzzle of a fantasy, people and things are never quite what they seem. Destinies are intertwined, identities exchanged, lovers confused. The Witch has placed a spell on Howl. Does the clue to breaking it lie in a famous poem? And what will happen to Sophie Hatter when she enters Howl's castle? Diana Wynne Jones's entrancing fantasy is filled with surprises at every turn, but when the final stormy duel between the Witch and the Wizard is finished, all the pieces fall magically into place.

This new edition of the groundbreaking popular book is a must-have for both seasoned and new fans of anime. Japanese animation is more popular than ever following the 2002 Academy Award given to Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away. It confirmed that anime is more than just children's cartoons, often portraying important social and cultural themes. With new chapters on Spirited Away and other recent releases, including Howl's Moving Castle--Miyazaki's latest hit film, already breaking records in Japan--this edition will be the authoritative source on anime for an exploding market of viewers who want to know more.

One of the most memorable and irresistible characters in all of literature—the Wizard Howl—is introduced in Diana Wynne Jones's classic fantasy novel Howl's Moving Castle and makes guest appearances in two stand-alone sequel novels, Castle in the Air and House of Many Ways. Howl's Moving Castle was adapted into an acclaimed and Academy Award-nominated film of the same name, produced by Studio Ghibli and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. Sophie Hatter never intended to set out and seek her fortune. The eldest of three sisters, Sophie thought she was destined to fail. That all changed the day the Witch of the Waste turned her into an old woman. In order to lift the spell, Sophie barges into Wizard Howl's moving castle and strikes a bargain with Calcifer, his fire demon. But Howl is outrunning a curse of his own, and soon Sophie realizes that nothing is as it appears. . . . Howl, Sophie, and Calcifer return in both Castle in the Air and The House of Many Ways, two stand-alone sequels full of mayhem, secrets, and magic.

Sophie tries to escape the Witch of the West by hiding out in the moving castle of the feared wizard Howl, only to find that Howl is far different than his reputation and it is up to her be strong in the coming war when Howl is threatened.

Sophie tries to escape the Witch of the West by hiding out in the moving castle of the feared wizard Howl, only to find that Howl is far different than his reputation and it is up to her be strong in the coming war when Howl is threatened.

Thoroughly revised and updated, a new edition of the best-selling analysis of the art of Japanese animation looks at the history and evolution of the genre, explores anime's portrayal of social and cultural themes, and includes new chapters on recent releases, including Hayao Miyazaki's Howl's Moving Castle. Original.

An in-depth look at the concept and artwork of the movie features a collection of concept sketches, fully rendered character and background drawing, paintings and cell images, along with interviews and comments from the production staff and director.

Anime From Akira to Howl's Moving Castle is the updated edition of Susan Napier's groundbreaking bestseller, Anime from Akira to Mononoke. It is a must-have for both seasoned and new fans of anime, and these are legion since Spirited Away won the Oscar for best animated film in 2002. Famed director Hayao Miyazaki's film proved that anime was much more than cartoons for children or a ploy for selling trading cards, and Napier demonstrates how anime often portrays important social and cultural themes in a sophisticated yet entertaining way. With new chapters on Spirited Away and other recent releases, including the forthcoming Howl's Moving Castle, this updated edition will be the authoritative source on anime for an exploding market of viewers who want to know more.